It’s a lifestyle.

Get inspired.

Wellness retreats have exploded in popularity over the past several years, and for good reason––health conscious individuals, who are overworked and overstressed, are looking for relief and someplace to reset. If you have been on the fence about whether or not a wellness retreat is right for you, or wonder if it is worth the investment, read on…

What is a wellness retreat?

First, let’s start off by answering the question of what a wellness retreat is.

By definition, retreat means to “pull back” or “withdraw,” and that is essentially what you are doing––retreating from everyday life. A wellness retreat is a carefully curated event that takes place over multiple days designed to promote rest, rejuvenation and restore health and vitality, so that you can re-enter your life refreshed. There are often opportunities to practice yoga, meditate, get a massage and engage in other health promoting activities. All of your meals are cooked for you and are designed to be nourishing, detoxifying and balancing. Best of all, you are in a beautiful, stress-free location with nowhere else to be.

What a wellness retreat is not.

A wellness retreat is not a vacation.

“A vacation can at times leave us tired and over-spun because we feel a need to experience as much as possible in a short amount of time. It is often spent over-eating and over-indulging. We can also become over-stimulated by all the experiences happening. We often take vacations with friends and family members where there becomes a need to “animate” our personality and do things we might not feel energetically inclined to do. There is nothing wrong with these vacations––they produce sweet memories and make our life colorful. However, once a year, a personal retreat can reign us back in towards our center where we can nourish ourselves mentally, physically and energetically,” says Jennifer Reuter of Yoga Unplugged.

Why retreat?

So, why should you go on a wellness retreat every year? I’ve got 40 reasons for you...

1. To create space

2. To find perspective

3. To regroup

4. To re-energize

5. To get inspired

6. To restore creativity

7. To detox

8. To create a new action plan

9. To find answers

10. To reconnect with yourself

11. To remember what is most important in your life

12. To rest

13. To get clear on your intentions and goals

14. To take a break from your regular day-to-day schedule

15. To slow down

16. To play

17. To get nourished

18. To get some sleep

19. To get some exercise

20. To meditate

21. To take a break from technology

22. To get in touch with nature

23. To clear your mind

24. To be in a safe space with no judgement

25. To de-stress

26. To drop your role as a mother, friend, sister, father, boss, employee, whatever––and just be

27. To meet like-minded people

28. To journal

29. To deepen your yoga practice

30. To practice gratitude

31. To find motivation to make a positive change

32. To establish a new routine

33. To get fit

34. To be around positive energy

35. To heal

36. To practice mindfulness

37. To restore happiness

38. To reevaluate your life

39. To rediscover joy

40. To reset

Pulling back, and getting away from it all, gives you many incredible opportunities. Whether you want to start a new business, deepen your yoga practice, write a book or accomplish one of the hundreds of other things you aspire to do in your life––a wellness retreat is the perfect place to start.

Stress is a part of everyday life and our energy gets depleted throughout the year. Wouldn’t it be nice if you knew there was a place waiting for you every year where every detail has been taken care of for you? From the time you wake up until the time you go to sleep everything is planned, every meal is made for you and every activity is optional––you are free to come and go as you please. A place to focus on your own needs and noone elses. Can you imagine?

Written by Sarah Burchard

Sarah Burchard is a writer, marketer and ingredients driven chef. She is the author of The Healthy Locavore, a food and lifestyle blog that focuses on cooking, healthy habits and supporting local. Sarah also leads farmers market tours and hosts farm-to-table events in Honolulu. Follow her on Instagram to learn more about local Hawaiian food.

Yoga Unplugged

Yoga Unplugged is a lifestyle brand that creates experiences intended to cultivate health and inner peace. We take a time honored holistic approach to wellness, by providing both ancient and modern day tools that support the mind, body and spirit. We believe that by unplugging from external influences we can flourish and connect to our truest selves.

Contributors

The Yoga Unplugged Lifestyle Blog is a collection of ideas, tools, tips and recipes from some of the most influential voices in our community.